Fluid-mixing apparatus



Feb. 16, 1932. H. HAVEN FLUID MIXING APPARATUS Filed April 1, 1930 INVENTOR Har y B ave-n,

BY Z

ATTORNEY WiTNESSES Patented Feb. 16, 1932 PATENT" OFFICE my mm, or 'mrnrona, mwn

mum-mute arrmrus Application fled April 1, 1980. lerlal No. 440,779.

This invention relates to improvements in fluid-mixing apparatus, especially on the ap-. paratus disclosed in Patent 1,338,592 of Crocker H. Sanford, granted April 27, 1920,-

5 and it consists of the constructions,'combinations and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for commin ling gas and water,

10 the especial purpose being the impregnation of water with carbonic acid gas.

Another object of the invention is to deliver carbonated water at a faucet whether that be a part of a soda water dispensing 1 system or a part of the water pipe system in a dwelling, at a desired uniform velocity regardless of the differences in water main pressures in different localities and installa tions, these differences being compensated for .9 by pressure regulating means in the difl'erential valve which comprises a part of the apparatus. I

A further 'ob'ect of the invention is to make ssible t e necessary adjustment in u the di erential valve by the mere application of a spanner or other wrench to the outside of the adjustable member of that valve thus avoiding the necessity of undoing any part whatsoever and consequently obviating an interruption in the o ration of the apparatus when once install Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, reference be which the view is a vertical section 0 improved fluid-mixing apparatus, parts being shown in elevation.

The invention is particularl identified with carbonating apparatus sucli as used in connection with soda water dispensing systems, but this statement is to be construed as the illustration of one use of the device and not as a limitation thereu n. For example, another use of it-will in connection with the water pipe system of a dwelling so that water drawn either from a speci fied faucet or from all of the faucets inthe system will be impregnated with carbonic acid as.

It as been found that water thusimwhich,

ing had to the accompanying drawing in the pregnated is especially beneficial in relieving rheumatic pains as well as bodily pains arising from kindred causes. However, in order that carbonated water may have the benefit intended it is imperative that a very thorough commingling of thegas with the water is brought about before the water is dispensed for use.

To this end the apparatus includes a very simple but highly effective mixing valve although herein illustrated and claimed in the eneral combination of the apparatus, is re erred for specific claiming in a companion application of Harry Haven, known as Case No. 2, filed April 1, 1930, Se rial No. 440,780.

Those parts of the Crocker H. Sanford Patent 1,338,592 which are herein disclosed are briefly described as follows :-1 designates a pipe leading from a source of carbonic acid gas. 2 is a pipe leading from .a street main or other water supply. A faucet 3, forming part of a soda water dispensing system, is connected with the outlet of a refrigerating coil 4 which is interposed between the faucet 3 and the eduction orifice 5 .of the apparatus.

This apparatus includes a difierential valve 6 with the casing of which the gas pipe 1 is connected. A casing 7, which contains the elements of a mixer specifically claimed in Patent 1,328,204 of Crocker H. Sanford, granted January 13, 1920, is now denuded of those elements and is now made to serve as one of the elements of the improved apparatus to which end thoroughly commingled volumes of gas and water are introduced thereinto for storage over variable periods rior to passage through the upper part of t e differential valve 6 and on to the coil 4.

A non-return or back check valve 8, situated in the connection between the water pipe 2 and reservoir 7, prevents a reflux of carbonated water into the piping system where it may not he wanted. A discharge pipe 9 connects the reservoir 7 with the upper chamber 10 of the difierential valve 6. The pipe 9 and chamber 10 together with the eduction orifice 5 constitute what is herein known as a discharge conduit. A gas intake pipe or conduit 11 connects a mixing valve 12 with thelower valve chamber 13 of the differential valve.

As previously stated, the mixing valve 12 e is claimed in another application, but for lower valve chamber 13.

the purposes of this disclosure the construc tion and operation thereof is as follows The body 14 has a lateral branch 15 to which the pipe 11 is coupled. The needle end 16 of an adjustable valve stem 17 is operable in a tapering bore 18 to control a gas discharge port 19 which opens at the side of the body 14 rather than at the end as is customary. This side opening of the discharge port has a very important effect on the operation of the apparatus. The gas stream (arrow 20) will directly oppose the water stream (arrow 21). There will be a turbulence of the two fluids in the-mixing chamber 22 of the reservoir 7 prior to flowing upwardly into the reservoir. 1 It is the tendency of one fluid to resist the passage of the other that produces the turbu- I lence. The water is generally under a pressure of one hundred pounds while the gas pressure is normally about one hundred and fifty pounds. The excess in gas pressure is offset bythe superior size of the water pipe 11, hence the two pressures are about on an equal basis at the point of confluence in the chamber 22. The effect of bringing the two fluids together in opposition is to intimately mix one with the other so that there will be no uneven distribution of the gas in the volume of water when reaching the reservoir 7.

A coupling nipple 23 makes the connection of the opposite end of the pipe 11 with the This chamber merely comprises the hollowed part of a plug 24 which is screwed into a sleeve 25. The connection of the plug with the sleeve is intended to be permanent, and there is no relative motion of one to the other.

A flexible diaphragm 26, completing the chamber 13, and having its perimeter rested on a flange 27 in the plug 24, has an integrally formed stud 28 which at its concealed end carries a valve 29 which is engageable with the intake nipple 30 of the gas pipe 1, and at its exposed end is'engageable witlr the contact nut 31 of a diaphragm stem 32.

The nut and valve stem are always in engagement. The purpose is to hold the valve 29 seated while the faucet 3.is closed. The gas is thus denied entry into the pipe 11 and no carbonating action can take place. It is not until the faucet 3 is opened that pressure on the diaphragm 26 is relieved with a consequent opening of the valve 29. The manner .in which this is accomplished is as follows A diaphragm 33. completing the upper chamber 10, is flexed approximately as shown while the faucet 3 remains closed. This de-' presses a disc 34 to which the stem 32 is actually connected. Although the diaphragm and disc are separate yet the two are held in such intimate connection and always work together so that the stem is not improperly identified with the diaphragm as the diaphragm stem.

When thus deflected the diaphragm 33 stands at a distance from the rim of a circular retarder sleeve 35. This sleeve which in practice might be made larger than indicated, defines a chamber 36 to which access 1s had either through a pair of diametrically opposite (or otherwise disposed) openings 37 and through the open end that confronts the diaphragm. The extent to which the flow of fluid from the chamber 10 is compelled to include the openings 37 depends on the pressure of the main water in the particupermits opening of the valve 29 so that gas The extent to which; the diaphragm 33 is flexible when the faucet 3 is closed and is capable of relaxing when the faucet is opened is determined by the particular water pressure and by an adjustment which is made as follows :-The lower end of the spring 38 rests on a bearing disc 39 which is seated on the flanged rim 40 of the sleeve 25 which is thus held down upon the supporting flange 41 of an adjustable coupling ring 42. This ring has a threaded annulus 43 which is screwed into the skirt 44 of the upper chamber 10. Holes 45 are provided for the application of a spanner wrench or a turning rod.

A look nut 46, screwed on the lower threaded end 47 of the stem 32 in common with the contact nut 31, is intended to fix the latter in its adjusted positions relative to the stem. The adjustments of the contact nut 31 must be set to agree with the extent of downward flexure of the diaphragm 33. In other words, if the water pressure in agiven installation is high, with a resulting large downward deflection of the diaphragm 33 while the faucet is closed, the contact nut 31 would be set high enough to bear on the valve stem 28 with no undue pressure but enough to keep the valve 29 seated. Consequently, if the water pressure of the particular installation is rather low, with a resulting slight downward flexure of the diaphragm 33 while the faucet is closed, the contact nut 31 would be set low so as to fulfill the same tion so that some of the fluid will pass between the diaphragm and the rim of the sleeve 35, some around the sleeve and some through the openings 37.

Suppose the apparatus were installed in a locality where the water pressure is one hundred and fifty pounds. If no adjustment were made to compensate for it the diaphragm 33 would be prevented from relaxing so much with the result that the water would gush from the faucet 3 at an undesirably high velocity. But the apparatus includes an adjustable member by which the excess water pressure iscounteracted and the velocity of water at the faucet reduced to what is consequently regarded as normal.

This member comprises the adjustable coupling ring 42. It would be turned to the right (looking up) or screwed into the skirt 44 in order to make the bearing disc 39 press harder on the spring 38. The tension of the spring is thus increased. Hence the static water pressure on the diaphragm 33 will be able to flex the latter downwardly to a lesser degree. Likewise, upon opening the faucet 3 the space between the diaphragm 33 and the rim of the sleeve 35 will be more nearly closed so that the flow of the greater volume of fluid will be confined to the openings 37 and around the sleeve, hence retarded.

Suppose, next, that the installation of the apparatus is made in a place where the water pressure is subnormal, say fifty pounds. If thiswere not compensated for the tendency of the spring 38, if left adjusted for the one hundred pound pressure, would be to close off the end of the sleeve 35 .entirely. The obstruction presented by the sleeve and the holes 37 would retard the flowso much that the water would pass from the faucet at an undesirable low rate.

To avoid this condition the coupling ring 42 is unscrewed from the skirt 44. This reduces the tension of the spring 38. A more marked downward flexure of the diaphragm 33 occurs under static water pressure. When the faucet 3 is opened the diaphragm 33 will relax, but not as much as under the one hundred pound pressure adjustment. Hence a greater space will remain between the dia-.

phragm and the rim of thesleeve 35, providing a deeper channel for the How of the water with the resulting normal flow at the faucet 3.

It must now be clear that any adjustment of the coupling ring 42 is made without takmg any portion of the apparatus apart.

There will=be a slight motion of the ring 42 relatively to the skirt 44 when making the adjustments but thisis more than compensated for by the flexure of the various pipes that lead to and from the differential valve 6.

It must be further understood that adjustments of the ring 42 will ordinarily be infrequent. It is assumed that the waterpressure of a given locality will remain substantially constant, but when the need for adjustment arises it can be easily made in the manner already pointed out. Each adjustment of the coupling ring 42 may require some slight corresponding adjustment of the contact nut 31 so that the valve 29 will be held closed with no undue pressure or that there may be no escape of gas past it when it ought to be closed. Eor the purposes of adjusting the contact nut 31 and setting its lock nut 46 in the new position the sleeve35 has two large openings on opposite sides through which access is easily 'had.

The 0 eration was previously described in such etail that more than a brief repetition willnotbe attempted. As long as the faucet 3 remains closed there will be no flow of either gas or water in the pipes 1 and 2.

A volume of mixed water and gas will be in the reservoir 7 to flow to the faucet when opened. An opening of the faucet 1s accompanied by a diminution in the fluid pressure in the chamber 10 on the diaphra m 33. The resulting relaxation of the diap ragm permits opening of the valve 29 so that gas will flow simultaneously. with the water.

It has been pointed out already that the peculiar relationship of the orifice or port 19 of the mixing valve to the incoming water flowing in the pipe 2 produces a thorough commingling of the constituents in the chamber 22. There will be no portion of the water not thoroughly impregnated with gas. The manner in which the differential valve 6 is adjusted to compensate for local differences in water mainpressure has been brought out already. All together the apparatus is of utmost simplicity and has been demonstrated as adequately serving the intended purpose. I Y

I claim 1. In fluid commingling apparatus, means constituting part of a valve casing containber for receiving commingled fluids from a mixer, a valve chamber adapted for connec-' tion with a source of gas, containing a valve the valve caslng to vary the tension of the" ing a diaphragm to define a discharge cham-" spring under varying pressures of fluid in the discharge chamber.

2. In fluid commingling apparatus, means constituting part of a valve casing containing a diaphragm to define a discharge chamber for receiving commingled fluids from a mixer, a valve chamber adapted for connection with a source of gas, containing a valve acting under the influence of the diaphragm to control the flow of gas to said mixer, a spring pressing on the diaphragm tending to urge the diaphragm to a restricting position relatively to the discharge chamber, means constituting another part of the valve casing which is externally accessible for adjustment in reference to the first part of the valve casing to vary the tension of the spring under varying pressures of fluid in the discharge chamber, and contact means depending from the diaphragm and contacting the valve, being adjustable in respect to the diaphragm to alwaysmaintain a normal degree of contact with the valve.

3. In fluid commingling apparatus, means constituting part of a valve casing having a diaphragm defining a discharge chamber for the flow of pressure fluid from a mixer, retarder means in said chamber confronting the diaphragm which is flexible therefrom under fluid pressure in the discharge chamber, resilient means bearing on the diaphragm tending to resist its flexure under fluid pressure, and means constituting another part of the valve casing which is externally adjustable to vary the relationship of one part to the other hence vary the tension of the resilient means to enable a greater or'lesser degree of communication of the retarder means with the discharge chamber.

4. In fluid commingling apparatus, means constituting part of a valve casing having a diaphragm defining a discharge chamber for the flow of pressure fluid from a mixer, means defining a retarder chamber the open end of which is confronted by the diaphragm which is adapted to close the chamber and thus diminish the volume of the discharge chamber, resilient means bearing against the diaphragm tending to resist the flexure of the diaphragm which occurs under',fluid.

pressure in the discharge chamber when the retarder chamber is open, and means being another part of the valve casing and. adjustable-in respect to the first part to change the tension of the resilient means hencevary the permissible flexure ,ofthe diaphragm as well as the degree of op'ening'of the retarder means. v

5. In fluid commingling apparatus, means constituting part of a valve casing having a diaphragm defining a discharge chamber for the flowof pressure fluid from a mixer,'an

open ended. sleeve defining a retarder chamber confronting the diaphragm and having openings, resilient means pressing against the diaphragm tending to resist fluid pressure in the diaphragm chamber and to close 6. In fluid commingling apparatus, avalve' casing comprising a part having a diaphra m defining a discharge chamber, a sleeve de ning a retarder chamber having openings, the open end of which sleeve is confronted by the diaphragm, a second sleeve having means defining a valve chamber and having a valve for controlling an inlet to said chamber from a source of as, a bearing disc supported by the secon sleeve, a spring situated'between the bearing disc and the diaphragm, a stem depending from the diaphragm to a position adjacent to the stem of said valve, a ring by which the second sleeve is carried being adjustably coupled with said part and by its relative adjustments varying the tension of the spring hence the position of the diaphragm in reference to the first sleeve, and contact means adjustably carried by the diaphragm stem to maintain a given contact with the valve stem.

7. The combination of a liquid-receiving mixer diaphragm means with :1. carried valve for controlling a flow of gas, to the mixer, and a conduit connecting the mixer with an eduction orifice being open to the diaphragm means and having means coacting w th said diaphragm means to restrict the conduit.

8. A mixer adapted for connection witha source of liquid, a valve casing having a gas chamber connected with the mixer and 1ncludin'g diaphragm means and a carried valve operable in the gas chamber, and a discharge conduit, said conduit including part of the gas chamber at the side of the diaphragm means opposite to its carried valve and having means controlled by the position of the diaphragm means for variously constricting the flow of mixture.

9. A. mixer adapted for connection with a source of liquid, a valve casing having a gas chamber connected with the mixer and including dia hragm means" with a carried valve operable in the gas chamber, said chamber having an inlet, a discharge conduit connecting the mixer with a controlled eduction orifice, said conduit being open to the diaphragm means at the side opposite to its carriedvalve, and means independentof the valve, pressing on the diaphragm means to counteract the pressure-of the mixture flowing in the discharge conduit thus-to regulate the available area of the conduit and the po- 10.. A mixer adapted for connection with a source of liquid, a valve casing having a gas chamber connected with the mixer and including diaphragm means and a carried valve operable in the gas chamber, means to press upon the diaphragm means and thus tend to resist flexure of the diaphragm means under fluid pressure, and a discharge conduit connected with the mixer, said conduit 0 ening against the diaphragm and inclu ing means to retard the fluid flow in varyin degrees depending upon the position 0 the diaphragm means.

ll. A mixer adapted for connection with a source of liquid, a valve casing having a gas chamber connected with the mixer and including diaphragm means and a carried valve operable in the gas chamber, means to press upon the diaphragm means and thus tend to resist flexure of the diaphragm means under fluid pressure, a discharge conduit connected with the mixer, said conduit opening against the diaphragm and including means to retard the fluid flow in varying degrees depending uponthe position of the diaphragm means, and means to adjust the means pressing on the diaphragm means thus to make the diaphragm means less responsive to increases in fluid pressure and confine the flow more to the retarder means.

12. A mixer adapted for connection with a source of liquid, a valve casing having a gas chamber connected with the mixer and including diaphragm means and a carried valve operable in the gas chamber, a dis charge conduit extending from the mixer and embracing the valve casing at the side of the diaphragm means farthest from its carried valve, means which is adjustable to press on the diaphragm means with varying degrees of tension to vary the volume of the adjacent part of the conduit hence to ease with which mixture of fluid can pass, and contact means movable with and adjustable in respect to the diaphragm means in accordance with the adjustments of its presser means to always maintain a predetermined degree of contact with the valve.

HARRY HAVEN. 

